Social independence or spiritual independence? Unlike Krishna’s Bhakti Yoga, which seeks to help Arjuna overcome his doubts and fears, the new political Bhakti seeks to get unquestioning obedience of its vote bank. Nation-states have tried hard to separate the religious from the political, insisting that the religious should be spiritual not political. Political independence is about acquiring the power to get one’s way, even at the cost of others. Those who are unable to do so feel oppressed and continue the pursuit of political independence.

Source: The Hindu August 14, 2021 22:41 UTC